Everett holds off Salem-Keizer in 13

KEIZER, Ore. — The Everett AquaSox threatened offensively just twice through the entire 13 innings of Tuesday night’s game against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. But that proved enough for the Sox.Everett rallied in both the first and last innings to defeat Salem-Keizer 6-5 in its first extra-inning game of the Northwest League season.From the second inning through the 12th Everett (4-8) managed just three baserunners, none of whom advanced past first base. However, the Sox scored three runs in the first, which was enough to get the game into extra innings, then scored three more in the 13th to win it.The Sox then had to sweat it out in the bottom of the 13th as the Volcanoes (5-6) scored twice and had the tying run in scoring position, but Everett held on.Everett was one strike away from winning in the ninth. But with a runner on third, Fernando Pujadas hit a smash off pitcher Kody Kerski. The ball ricocheted to first baseman Kristian Brito, but Brito dropped it. The single scored the run that tied it at 3-3 and forced extra innings.Everett finally generated another rally in the 13th. Taylor Smart fouled off several two-strike pitches before breaking the tie with an RBI single to center. Chris Mariscal then grounded a single through a drawn-in infield to score Smart from third. A pair of walks and a hit batter forced home a third, as Brett Thomas’ bases-loaded walk made it 6-3.Salem-Keizer didn’t go quietly in the bottom of the 13th. The Volcanoes loaded the bases with one out. Will Callaway then blooped an RBI single to center and Jared Deacon followed with a sacrifice fly to left to get Salem-Keizer within one, but Sox reliever Leoncio Munoz struck out Geno Escalante to end it.Everett received a tremendous performance from its pitchers Blake Holovach, Dylan De Meyer and Kerski, who combined to allow just one earned run on seven hits and strike out 13 through 12 innings, putting the Sox in position to win. Munoz then survived the 13th despite allowing four hits to earn the save.

Share your comments: Log in using your HeraldNet account or your Facebook, Twitter or Disqus profile. Comments that violate the rules are subject to removal. Please see our terms of use. Please note that you must verify your email address for your comments to appear.